Myrmica smythiesii

Myrmica smythiesii

Myrmica smythiesiii is a small reddish-brown ant species native to the Himalayan region. Workers measure 4.5-4.7mm and have a distinctive appearance with a subtle impression between the pronotum and mesonotum. This species belongs to the Myrmica tibetana species group and is endemic to the Himalayas, where it inhabits conifer forests dominated by Pinus, Cedrus, and Rhododendron at elevations between 2133-3749 meters above sea level ^[1]. The species was originally described by Forel in 1902 and was named after Arthur Smythies, a British forester who worked in the Indian Forest Service ^[2].

What makes M. smythiesii interesting is its specialization as a habitat specialist restricted to primary forest environments, it has never been found in secondary forest or rubber plantations ^[3]. This ant is an opportunist forager, meaning it takes advantage of a wide variety of food sources. In its natural mountain habitat, it nests under stones and in rotting wood covered with leaf litter, where temperatures stay cool at 15-20°C even when surface air reaches 25°C ^[1].

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Medium
• Origin & Habitat: Himalayan region of Northwest India (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand), Nepal, and southern China. Found in conifer forests (Pinus, Cedrus) with Rhododendron at elevations 2133-3749m ^[1]. Nests located under stones and in rotten wood covered with leaves ^[1].
• Colony Type: Single-queen (monogyne) colonies typical for the genus Myrmica. Colonies are not known to be polygynous.
  • Colony: Monogyne
  • Founding: Claustral
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Estimated 6-8mm based on typical Myrmica genus dimensions
  • Worker: 4.5-4.7mm ^[4]
  • Colony: Likely moderate, several hundred workers typical for Myrmica species
  • Growth: Moderate, Myrmica species typically take 6-10 weeks from egg to first worker
  • Development: 6-10 weeks (estimated based on typical Myrmica development at cool temperatures) (Development is likely slower than tropical species due to their cool mountain habitat. Expect 8-12 weeks at optimal temperatures.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Keep nest area at 18-22°C. This species prefers cool conditions matching its natural habitat where nest temperatures range 15-20°C ^[1]. Avoid overheating, they are not heat tolerant.
  • Humidity: Keep nest substrate moderately moist. Natural humidity was 67% at collection sites. Provide a water tube but avoid waterlogging the nest. They prefer damp conditions but not saturated substrate.
  • Diapause: Yes, this is a Himalayan mountain species requiring a winter hibernation period. Reduce temperature to 5-10°C for 3-4 months during winter (roughly November to February in the Northern Hemisphere).
  • Nesting: Y-tong (AAC) nests or plaster nests work well. They naturally nest under stones and in rotting wood, so provide dark, cool nesting areas. Avoid dry, heated nests, they need access to moisture.
• Behavior: Workers are active foragers with an opportunist diet, they will collect honeydew, small insects, and seeds. They are not particularly aggressive but will defend their nest. Workers have a functional stinger but rarely sting due to their small size. Escape risk is moderate, use standard barrier methods but they are not extreme escape artists like some tiny species.
• Common Issues: Cool temperature requirements can be challenging in warm homes, may need cooling in summer, Hibernation failure is common, must provide proper cold period or colony may decline, As habitat specialists, they may be sensitive to captive conditions and require more specific humidity, Wild-caught colonies may have parasites that cause problems in captivity, Overheating kills these ants quickly, keep them well below room temperature in summer

Housing and Nest Setup

Myrmica smythiesiii does best in nests that stay cool and retain moisture. Y-tong (AAC) nests or plaster nests are ideal choices because they allow you to control humidity more easily than test tube setups. The nest area should stay between 18-22°C, this is cooler than most ant species need. Place the nest in a cool area of your home, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.

The outworld (foraging area) can be kept at room temperature, but make sure the nest itself stays cool. Provide a water tube connected to the nest so workers can access moisture. These ants naturally nest under stones and in rotting wood, so they prefer dark, enclosed spaces. A layer of substrate in the outworld is not required but can help maintain humidity.

Escape prevention is straightforward, these are not particularly good climbers and standard barrier methods work well. However, always use proper containment since any ant can escape through small gaps. ^[1]

Feeding and Diet

Myrmica smythiesiii is an opportunist forager, meaning they will accept a wide variety of foods. Feed them sugar water or honey water as a constant energy source, offer it on a small piece of cotton or in a test tube with a cotton wick. For protein, offer small insects like fruit flies, small mealworms, or cricket pieces. They will also collect honeydew if you have access to aphid colonies.

Feed protein prey 2-3 times per week, removing any uneaten prey after 24-48 hours to prevent mold. Keep sugar water available at all times. Unlike some specialized predators, these ants are flexible feeders and should adapt well to standard ant diets. However, always ensure fresh prey is available, they are more active and healthy with regular protein intake. ^[1]

Temperature and Seasonal Care

Temperature management is the most critical aspect of keeping M. smythiesii successfully. In the wild, these ants live at elevations above 2000 meters where nest temperatures stay between 15-20°C even when surface air reaches 25°C ^[1]. In captivity, keep the nest at 18-22°C. This is cooler than most ant keepers keep their colonies, so you may need to use a small fan, place the nest in a cool room, or use a thermoelectric cooler in summer.

During winter (roughly November to February), this species requires a hibernation period. Reduce temperatures to 5-10°C for 3-4 months. This is essential for colony health, without proper hibernation, colonies often fail to produce alates (reproductives) and may decline over time. Do not hibernate in the refrigerator unless you can maintain stable temperatures above freezing.

Summer heat is dangerous, temperatures above 25°C can stress or kill these ants. Keep them well-ventilated and away from warm rooms.

Colony Development and Growth

Myrmica colonies grow moderately fast once established. The queen lays eggs after mating during the nuptial flight season (May-July in the wild) ^[1]. The first workers (nanitics) will emerge after 6-10 weeks, though development may be slower given their cool habitat preferences. Nanitics are typically smaller than mature workers.

After founding, colonies grow at a moderate pace. Expect the colony to reach several hundred workers over 2-3 years under good conditions. Myrmica colonies can live for many years, queens may live 10-15 years or more. Growth is slower than tropical species but steady with proper care.

Mature colonies produce alates (reproductives) annually. If you want to raise alates, proper hibernation is essential, this triggers the reproductive cycle. Alates typically appear in late spring or summer.

Behavior and Temperament

Myrmica smythiesiii workers are active and industrious foragers. They are not particularly aggressive toward humans but will defend their nest if threatened. Workers have a stinger but due to their small size, stings are rarely felt by humans, most keepers report no noticeable sting.

These ants use chemical trails to recruit workers to food sources. When you place food in the outworld, workers will quickly discover it and recruit nestmates. This makes them entertaining to watch and easy to feed.

Workers are moderately polymorphic, larger workers (majors) may develop in mature colonies, though this species does not have extreme size polymorphism like some other Myrmica species. Workers can live for several months, and the colony maintains steady worker populations through continuous brood production. ^[1][4]

Frequently Asked Questions

References